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Are Liverpool eying up this Spanish midfield enforcer as their new Mascherano?

Reports in Spain suggest that Liverpool will go head to head with several Bundesliga clubs for Levante's brilliant defensive midfielder Vicente Iborra. The 24-year-old was a cornerstone of Levante's unlikely run to a Europa League place last season, and after continuing to impress in their current campaign, suitors are lining up to try and tempt the humble side's hand. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more on the Spaniard...

What's the latest?
Iborra's strong showings for Levante in their 2011/12 campaign had Sunderland and Wigan sending scouts to watch him in the pre-season, and after continuing to produce quality displays in La Liga as well as the Europa League this year, reports claim that Liverpool have recently joined the chasing pack and sent their own observers to the Ciutat de Valencia stadium. The midfielder's current contract only runs until 2014, but Levante are keen to tie him down to a new deal which would contain a €6m buyout clause, potentially rising to €9m if he makes his international debut, something the Valencian press claim is a real possibility in the near future. Unnamed Bundesliga sides are also said to be tracking his progress.

Did you know?

1) Iborra joined Levante's youth setup in 2005, playing for their junior side for two seasons before being promoted to the reserves in 2007. In the 2007/08 season with the B team, he played 17 games and scored four goals.

2) The midfielder's first experience with the senior team also came that season, with Iborra making his first team debut on the 9 January 2008 in the Copa del Rey against Getafe. His first division debut came shortly after on the 13th of January against Real Madrid, though Levente slumped to a 2-0 defeat.

3) A combination of injuries and a thin squad meant that Iborra would go on to play a further 14 games with the first team in the 2007/08 campaign, though the season would ultimately end with Levante being relegated to the second division. The following season he became a full member of the senior team, playing 31 times and scoring three goals in 2008/09.

4) Iborra was called up by Spain's U21 side on February 16, 2010, but never made his debut with La Roja's juniors. Valencian paper Superdeporte insist however that he's edging nearer to receiving a call from Vicente del Bosque to join the senior Spain side.

5) Levante achieved European football for the first time after finishing sixth in their 2011/12 league campaign, with Iborra starting 28 games and making five appearances from the bench in La Liga. A particular highlight was a 3-0 win against nouveau riche Malaga on October 16, with the midfielder assisting Juanlu for the second goal of the tie. He recently scored his first ever European goal against Helsingborgs during a 3-1 away win on 22 November 2012.

They say
“There are few players of Iborra's age, physical condition and technical capacity in the market, and as a result, there are already various clubs following the Levante number 10. Even Liverpool have stopped by to look at him. 'Ibo' is one of the most interesting players at the club.” Valencian paper Superdeporte on Iborra.

He says
“It's an honour that our president says this about me, but Levante isn't just Iborra. I hope many more youth players join the first team.” Iborra in reaction to Levante President Quico Catalan's comments the he could be a future captain at the club.

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Liverpool fans, could Vicente Iborra add some steel to your midfield? Leave a comment below and have your say...